Explore the top contenders in the smartphone market of 2024 as we reveal the devices boasting the best camera technology. From improved sensors to advanced AI capabilities, discover the phones revolutionizing mobile photography.
iPhone 13 Pro
Released in 2021, the iPhone 13 Pro remains a highly capable camera phone in 2024. Its triple 12MP camera system, featuring wide, ultrawide, and telephoto lenses, captures stunning images and videos.
Key camera features:
- Triple 12MP wide, ultrawide, and telephoto cameras
- LiDAR scanner for enhanced depth mapping and low-light performance
- Sensor-shift optical image stabilization for sharper images
- Cinematic mode for recording videos with shallow depth of field
- ProRes video recording for professional-grade footage
The iPhone 13 Pro excels in various shooting scenarios, delivering exceptional image quality with vibrant colors, impressive dynamic range, and excellent detail. Its low-light performance is also commendable, thanks to the LiDAR scanner and sensor-shift stabilization.
While newer models may offer more advanced features, the iPhone 13 Pro remains a solid choice for mobile photographers and videographers looking for a powerful and reliable camera system.
Samsung Galaxy S21
While not brand-new in 2024, the Samsung Galaxy S21 still holds its own as a camera powerhouse. Its triple-lens system, headlined by a 12MP wide and 12MP ultrawide lens, delivers consistently excellent image quality.
Here’s what makes the S21’s camera stand out:
- Detail and clarity: The 12MP main sensor captures images with impressive sharpness and detail, even in challenging lighting conditions.
- Versatile ultrawide lens: Capture breathtaking landscapes and dynamic architectural shots with the wide 120-degree field of view of the ultrawide lens.
- Reliable performance: Samsung’s image processing and camera software remain top-notch, ensuring fast autofocus, accurate colors, and impressive dynamic range.
- Zoom capabilities: The S21 features a 3x hybrid optical zoom, allowing for clear and detailed zoomed-in shots without sacrificing image quality.
Even though newer models have emerged, the Galaxy S21’s combination of hardware and software makes it a strong contender for those seeking a smartphone with an exceptional camera at a potentially more accessible price point.
Google Pixel 6 Pro
Released in 2021, the Google Pixel 6 Pro remains a strong contender in the camera department even in 2024. Google’s computational photography prowess is on full display here, leveraging its powerful Tensor chipset to deliver stunning images.
Key Features:
- Triple rear camera system: 50MP wide, 12MP ultrawide, and 48MP telephoto
- Superb image processing with impressive detail and dynamic range
- Industry-leading portrait mode with realistic bokeh
- Astrophotography mode captures breathtaking night sky shots
While not the newest phone on the market, the Pixel 6 Pro continues to impress with its camera capabilities, particularly its image processing and software features. It’s a testament to Google’s commitment to delivering a top-tier camera experience.
Huawei P50 Pro
The Huawei P50 Pro, despite being released in 2021, still holds its own against newer smartphone cameras in 2024. Its impressive camera system, co-engineered with Leica, continues to capture stunning images and videos.
Here are the key camera specs that make the Huawei P50 Pro stand out:
- 50MP True-Chroma Camera with OIS
- 40MP Monochrome Camera
- 13MP Ultra-Wide Angle Camera
- 64MP Periscope Telephoto Camera with OIS and 3.5x optical zoom
The P50 Pro’s camera excels in various shooting scenarios, delivering exceptional detail, vibrant colors, and remarkable low-light performance. Its monochrome sensor contributes to improved sharpness and dynamic range in photos.
While the lack of Google Mobile Services might be a drawback for some, the Huawei P50 Pro’s exceptional camera capabilities cannot be denied, making it a worthy contender for one of the best camera smartphones in 2024.
Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra
Released in early 2021, the Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra still holds its own as a smartphone photography powerhouse. This phone was designed with a focus on delivering a professional-grade camera experience, and it largely delivers.
The Mi 11 Ultra boasts a triple rear camera setup, with all three lenses offering impressive capabilities:
- 50MP wide-angle lens: This lens utilizes a large Samsung GN2 sensor known for capturing excellent detail and dynamic range, even in challenging lighting conditions.
- 48MP telephoto lens: With 5x optical zoom and optical image stabilization (OIS), this lens lets you capture sharp close-ups from a distance.
- 48MP ultra-wide lens: Capture sweeping landscapes and group photos with a wider field of view.
Beyond the impressive hardware, the Mi 11 Ultra shines in its software features. It offers a range of shooting modes, including a dedicated night mode that excels at capturing stunning low-light shots with impressive clarity and detail. The phone’s ability to shoot 8K video at 24 fps across all three lenses makes it a highly versatile tool for content creators.
OnePlus 9 Pro
Released in early 2021, the OnePlus 9 Pro made waves with its camera system developed in partnership with Hasselblad. While not brand new in 2024, the OnePlus 9 Pro still boasts capable hardware and software features that make it relevant for photography enthusiasts.
Key Camera Specifications:
- 48MP Wide-angle lens (Sony IMX789 sensor)
- 50MP Ultrawide-angle lens (Sony IMX766 sensor)
- 8MP Telephoto lens with 3.3x optical zoom
- 2MP Monochrome sensor
The OnePlus 9 Pro’s strength lies in its versatile camera setup and Hasselblad collaboration, which brings natural color calibration to the table. The main sensor captures impressive detail and dynamic range, while the ultrawide lens offers a wider perspective without compromising on quality. The telephoto lens, though not offering the highest zoom range, provides good image quality for closer shots.
The camera software also deserves a mention, with features like Hasselblad Pro mode for manual controls, Nightscape for low-light photography, and RAW image capture for greater editing flexibility.
Sony Xperia 5 III
Released in 2021, the Sony Xperia 5 III might not be the newest phone on the block, but its camera capabilities remain impressive in 2024. Sony has packed a lot of its Alpha camera technology into this compact powerhouse, making it a compelling option for photography enthusiasts.
The phone boasts a triple 12MP camera system with Zeiss optics, featuring a variable telephoto lens that switches between 70mm and 105mm focal lengths, offering versatility in framing your shots.
Key camera features of the Sony Xperia 5 III:
- Triple 12MP rear cameras (wide, ultrawide, and variable telephoto)
- Zeiss T* coating for reduced reflections
- Real-time Eye AF for humans and animals
- Up to 20fps burst shooting with autofocus and auto-exposure
- 4K HDR video recording at 120fps
The Xperia 5 III excels in delivering natural-looking images with accurate colors. The phone’s dedicated shutter button and professional photography apps like Photography Pro offer a DSLR-like shooting experience.
Oppo Find X3 Neo
Released in early 2021, the Oppo Find X3 Neo might not be the newest phone on this list, but its impressive camera system still holds its own against newer releases. It boasts a versatile setup that captures stunning images and videos.
Key Camera Features:
- 50MP Sony IMX766 Sensor: This main sensor, shared with the flagship Find X3 Pro, delivers exceptional image quality with vibrant colors and excellent dynamic range.
- 13MP Telephoto Lens: Offering 2x optical zoom, this lens allows for capturing closer shots with good detail.
- 16MP Ultrawide-Angle Lens: Capture expansive landscapes and group photos with a wider field of view.
- Microscope Macro Lens: A unique feature, this lens lets you get incredibly close to subjects for detailed macro photography.
The Oppo Find X3 Neo excels in various lighting conditions, thanks to its capable sensors and computational photography algorithms. It handles low-light situations admirably, producing bright and clear images with less noise.
Videographers will appreciate the phone’s ability to shoot 4K video at 60fps with good stabilization. The inclusion of features like Ultra Steady Video Pro mode further enhances video quality, ensuring smooth footage even when shooting handheld in motion.
Vivo X60 Pro+
The Vivo X60 Pro+ is a true camera powerhouse, boasting a versatile and capable camera system that captures stunning photos and videos. Co-engineered with renowned optics manufacturer Zeiss, the X60 Pro+ sets a high bar for mobile photography.
Key Camera Features:
- 50MP Main Camera with Gimbal Stabilization 2.0: This sensor delivers exceptional image quality with impressive detail and clarity. The advanced gimbal stabilization ensures steady shots even in challenging conditions.
- 48MP Ultra-Wide Angle Lens: Capture breathtaking landscapes and expansive scenes with a wider field of view. The ultra-wide lens allows for more creative compositions.
- 35mm Portrait Camera: Inspired by classic portrait lenses, this camera produces natural-looking portraits with pleasing bokeh. The dedicated focal length is ideal for capturing flattering images of subjects.
- 8MP Periscope Telephoto Lens: Achieve high-quality zoom capabilities with this periscope lens, allowing you to get closer to the action without sacrificing image quality.
The Vivo X60 Pro+ excels in low-light photography, thanks to its large sensor size and advanced image processing capabilities. The phone’s software features, including Zeiss-tuned color science and a range of shooting modes, further enhance the overall camera experience.
Asus Zenfone 8 Flip
The Asus Zenfone 8 Flip returns in 2024, keeping the innovative flip camera relevant. This unique feature means the triple-camera system on the back flips up to become the front-facing camera, offering flagship-level quality for both selfies and rear photography.
Strengths:
- Unique and versatile flip camera system
- High-resolution sensors and lenses
- Excellent image quality in various conditions
Things to Consider:
- Flip mechanism adds bulk to the device
- May not include the latest camera hardware advancements compared to competitors
Conclusion
In conclusion, the top 10 smartphones with the best cameras in 2024 offer cutting-edge technology and superior image quality, setting a new standard for mobile photography enthusiasts.
